Paramore interview: 'We're shocked by the sound of our new album'

On their 2009 album Brand New Eyes, Paramore proved themselves leaders in pop-punk across the globe after it entered the top ten in more than ten countries.

Four years later and with a refreshed lineup, they've returned with the fourth opus Paramore, which sees them teaming up with veteran electro-rock-pop producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen.

Digital Spy met up with the trio to talk about the LP, the new lineup and whether there was any truth in those curious dubstep rumors...

Hi Paramore! It feels like you've been working on your new album for ages. Are you pleased with how it's turned out?Taylor: "Completely! I don't think we've ever been so proud and satisfied with something we've done. There's honestly nothing I would change about this album." Hayley: "We don't normally get enough time to go back and re-do stuff as much as we'd like, but we spent loads of time of this record and had time to really think about the whole process."

There's a lot going on sound-wise on it. How would you sum it up?Haley: "I think it's titled very appropriately! It sounds like us individually and collectively at the same time, which we've never been able to do before. Our influences are there from start to finish. We're shocked by what it is but we're thrilled with it."

Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Tegan and Sara, M83) executive produced the record. What was it like to work with someone whose back catalog is so diverse?Taylor: "Oh yeah! From the records he's produced and played on... he definitely doesn't fit in any sort of box. Anywhere we went he would go there with us and say he'd done it a thousand times before. He let every song go where it was supposed to go. We were in great hands."

His recent work has a pop/electronic sound. Is that what Paramore sounds like?Hayley: "I don't think you could compare the Tegan and Sara and M83 records to this one, but he definitely has a certain flavor about him. He has a great knowledge of sounds to draw on. It's not an electronic record by any means, but we were more open to new sounds that perhaps we weren't ready for before."

It's a long album by today's standards. As a new lineup have you been bursting with creativity?Hayley: "We literally had tons and tons of sound notes, so many of which we never even explored."

Is that all the dubstep stuff you were rumored to be working on?Hayley: "Of course, lots of beatboxing and tons of dubstep ideas [laughs]! We're going to keep writing and recording whenever we get the chance as the burst of creativity and energy we got was so refreshing, particularly when given everything there could have been a lot of pressure on us."

What's the best song on the album?Hayley: "I literally just got forgot every song that's on the album."Taylor: "I'm excited for everyone to hear a song called 'Part II' because it follows on from a song we've already released."

There's a big gospel choir moment at the end of 'Ain't It Fun'; how on earth did that come about?Taylor: "That song started off completely not funky at all! It was only when Jeremy got his hands on it that it turned into that. It definitely took the song to a new level! We love that it's completely different and unexpected from a band like us."

Your last album Brand New Eyes topped the charts in the UK; are you hoping for the same this time around?Hayley: "Oh my gosh, don't! Knowing what's in the charts for us isn't a dire situation - we don't need to know what's number one to stay relevant. That said, I think consuming new music is important, just to keep the wheels turning. We're not ashamed to like pop music if it's good. There's this Carly Rae Jepsen song that we're obsessed with..."

'This Kiss'?Hayley: "Yes! It totally sounds like a Belinda Carlisle song. There's this Sky Ferreira song 'Lost In My Bedroom' which is also amazing. It's all subjective though, we just like what we like."

You're one of the few pop-punk bands managing to stay afloat on the charts at the moment; you must keep an eye on the charts in some way...Hayley: "That's nuts to me..."Taylor: "I think people focus too much on this topic of trying to please fans and be relevant. Personally, we just wanted to write about what we believe in. I think if people believe in what you're saying, hopefully the fans will take to it. We over-analysed things and it got scary - we were talking about things for days and not achieving anything."Hayley: "Playing shows a lot helps with that sort of thing."

Speaking of which, will you be touring the UK soon?Hayley: "For sure. We're always in the mindset that we're in this for the full thing this time. We're going global!"